The punctual attendance of corps was not to be thought of, so the volunteers came and went as trains fitted in; hanging about the headquarter town until the assembly sounded, or marched on to the ground some time after the parade had begun: their train being late or time inconvenient; thus necessitating retelling off and confusion. Then, just as the object of a manœuvre was being understood, and some steadiness showing itself in the ranks, the commanding officer was reminded that "It is train time," and men of the corps about to leave were recalled from the various companies into which they had been numbered off for drill purposes, and the whole parade collapsed.

It was in the year 1861 that the 1st Administrative Battalion of Wiltshire Rifle Volunteers was formed, at that time consisting of eight corps, and were thus designated in the Army List:—

1st Corps,Head Quarters,Salisbury.
2nd " "Trowbridge.
6th " "Maiden Bradley.
8th ""Mere.
9th ""Bradford-on-Avon.
10th ""Warminster.
13th " "Westbury.
14th "" Wilton.

Salisbury being the head quarters, and at the furthest removed point from any of the corps excepting Wilton: Lieutenant-General P. Buckley, M.P. for Salisbury, an officer of the Guards, and a subaltern at Waterloo, being appointed lieutenant-colonel; Captain J.H. Jacob, of the 1st Corps, major; and Captain R.D. Gibney, of the Indian army, as adjutant; Charles Bleeck, Esq., F.R.C.S., as surgeon; and William Fawcett Esq., quartermaster; the Marquis of Bath being honorary colonel.

1st Corps, Salisbury.

Beverley Robinson, Captain Cmt.
E.D. Fisher, Lieut.
Geo. Smith, Lieut.
Wyndham Pain, Lieut.
James Brown, Ensign.
C. Brown, Ensign.
John M. Cardell, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. Robert G. Swayne, Chap.

2nd Corps, Trowbridge.

Thomas Clark, Captain.
W.P. Clark, Senior Lieut.
Graham Foley, Ensign.
E.P. Stancomb, Ensign.
W.J. Mann, Ensign.
G.C. Tayler, M.B., Assist. Surg.
Revd. J.D. Hastings, Hon. Chap.

6th Corps, Maiden Bradley.

Lord E. Percy St. Maur, Captain.
Henry B. Festing, Lieut.
Thomas K. Harding, Ensign.
W.N. Marshall, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. R. Rowley, Chaplain.